
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, November 28, 1993                   TAG: 9311250021
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: SHIRLEY H. GERKEN
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

OPPORTUNITY TO HELP DIRECT REGION'S FUTURE AWAITS

An important event for people who live or work in the New River Valley will be held Thursday at New River Community College. There will be opportunity to receive an update on projects important to the future of the New River Valley, including the Economic Adjustment Strategy, and to become involved in the region's future by sharing your ideas in planning for 1994.

Three years ago, a unique coalition was formed in the New River Valley. Representatives of the New River Valley Planning District Commission, Virginia Tech, New River Community College, the New River Economic Development Alliance, Radford University and the United Way banded together in search of community leaders.

Their purposes? To recruit leaders and potential leaders interested in economic and social issues important to the New River Valley, to offer leadership development to ensure continuation of a cadre of leaders, and to involve leaders in problem-solving groups.

But how did all of this come about? It began when several agency directors expressed their concern about the future of the region. What needed attention? Who could provide the leadership to keep things on a positive course? These questions were discussed with a variety of leaders throughout the region.

Then during the summer of 1991, the Planning District Commission and Virginia Tech conducted a regional study of the opinions of more than 200 leaders in the New River Valley.

In September, a public meeting was called to share the outcome of the study and to invite assistance from leaders in planning and organizing efforts to address the issues. More than 175 leaders attended the meeting and began work on the top concerns identified in the study: economic development, education, leadership, transportation and the environment.

The committee that organized the 1991 community meeting evolved into the New River Valley Leadership Steering Committee and is now the steering committee for the New River Valley Community Vision 2020 Project.

The committee coordinates and communicates with the informal network of working groups, identifies leaders to work on issues, provides support and assistance to work groups, and organizes annual community meetings to share progress and develop strategies for future actions.

During 1993, the group has supported several major efforts including a human services needs assessment, a leadership program and education projects.

During the past several months, the Economic Adjustment Strategy Project - a major study funded by the federal government and managed by the New River Valley Planning District office - has been supported by the 2020 Project Steering Committee. This strategy will be the centerpiece of the 1993 annual community meeting.

The meeting, to be held in Rooker Hall at New River Community College, will begin with an informal meal at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will start at 6 p.m.

Shirley H. Gerken is a leadership development specialist at Virginia Tech and serves on the New River Valley Community Vision 2020 Steering Committee.

by CNB